Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Rockford, IL: $74,085 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Rockford, IL earns a median $74,085/year (≈ $35.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $80,393 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Rockford, Illinois, will see a median annual salary of $74,085, which outperforms the national median of $68,071 by 8.83%. The salary range for LPNs in this city varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $55,144 and the top 10% reaching approximately $87,160. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, reflects Rockford LPNs' scope of practice, which includes responsibilities like IV therapy and patient assessments. Such competencies not only enhance job performance but may also lead to higher compensation. Given the projected growth rate of 5.70% over the next five years, numerous opportunities will likely arise in the local healthcare system, further enriching the job market for licensed practical nursing professionals in Rockford.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,144 | $26.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,995 | $31.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,085 | $35.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,156 | $39.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,160 | $41.91 |
Median Salary Position
8.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,016 (2026 est.). At $74,085, the local median is 8.83% above the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be above the median
How Rockford Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Rockford median: $74,085/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $70,827 | +4.60% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +8.83% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Rockford, IL earn a median of $74,085 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.83% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 4.60% above the Illinois state average of $70,827.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford has a cost of living 7.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.154 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $74,085 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,393 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,060
2025 BLS Actual
$70,090
2026 Current Est.
$74,085
2019–2027 Growth
+56.4%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,085 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,308 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 40.0% from $50,060 (2019) to $70,090 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,308 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,248 (56.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $55,144 – $64,995 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,995 – $74,085 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,085 – $81,156 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,156 – $87,160 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Rockford
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Rockford is robust, with around 440 LPNs currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 92.154, suggesting that take-home pay may go further than in regions with higher living costs. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities offer some of the highest pay, often surpassing that provided by home health agencies or physician offices. Factors contributing to the variations in licensed practical nurse pay in Rockford include setting-based differences, such as higher wages in long-term care homes compared to other healthcare settings. LPNs can optimize their earning potential by pursuing IV therapy certifications, seeking positions in skilled nursing facilities, and taking advantage of shift differentials and holiday premiums. Understanding these dynamics can guide aspiring LPNs on how much licensed practical nurses make in Rockford and where to focus their efforts to achieve maximum compensation.
More salary data for Rockford, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $70,090 for licensed practical nursesin the Rockford metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov